tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167124772010-04-28T11:50:00.601-04:00Herein will you find an eclectic collection of observations, musings, references, images etc from the lives of the Thorntons.Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-8458779237304294612008-06-04T01:09:00.002-04:002008-06-04T01:35:28.395-04:00

Not sure if it is just me but having recently moved I've had the unfortunate need to speak, chat online or swap emails with a large number of "customer service professionals" to solve a variety problems in the new house. Once in a while something good happens (eg TiVo) but on most occasions these have been very painful experiences. Public enemy #1 right now is Cablevision followed closely by any

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-71294146565595932342008-06-03T00:44:00.004-04:002008-06-04T01:08:26.666-04:00

This time I have a valid excuse.... Well, kind of, we moved house a month or so ago so I've been very busy - that accounts for some of the gap at least. Anyway, we were all sad to leave Morningside Drive, unbelievably Jo & I had been there almost 10 years. Considering we arrived on these shores in 1998 with a couple of suitcases we accumulated an astounding amount of junk. 2 large skipfuls (aka

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-65307447620033785112008-01-21T12:30:00.000-05:002008-01-21T16:12:31.709-05:00

We lost a little sunshine from our lives this weekend when Hyeonsik returned home to Korea with his family. We met him at the school bus stop a year ago bundled up against the cold and he (naturally) looked a little bewildered by the whole experience. However, he & Elliot became great friends, as we all did, and his cheeful smile and disposition will be missed. Even Molly misses him and looks

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-46716933832265841102008-01-21T12:26:00.000-05:002008-01-21T12:30:15.681-05:00

Due to popular demand from all of my avid readers (thanks mum) - watch for more frequent posts in this space. When I say more frequent, I mean more than once per year which was my 2007 average....

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-76610503698635914292007-03-12T01:38:00.000-04:002007-03-12T02:06:56.449-04:00

Elliot had the honour of having his "Fish" sculpture included in a recent exhibition of art by Greenwich school kids. Here is said fish whispering in our budding artist's ear.Better than Andre's Equivalent VIII (aka "The Bricks") in my opinion but maybe I'm biased - eye of the beholder etc etc. Still, if anyone from the Tate is reading, I'm sure Elliot would consider any reasonable offer.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-9092450868172987872007-01-21T22:35:00.000-05:002007-01-21T22:55:17.953-05:00

We had our first snowfall of the winter this week, a modest dusting which was gone the next day. Prior to this, we have had some bizarrely mild weather. No snow in Central Park in December for the first time since 1877. A couple of Saturdays ago it was 72*F (22*C). I took Molly for a walk on the beach (dogs are only allowed there in the winter) and there were actually a few people sunbathing. Now

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-56679341344525230972006-12-29T22:57:00.000-05:002007-01-21T23:00:03.706-05:00

Art Direction by Jo Hubbard.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1164005639040222542006-11-20T01:53:00.000-05:002006-11-20T19:45:53.724-05:00

A few images from our visit to the park this afternoon. Jo and I had a very busy weekend tidying up largely unseen areas of the house (closets, drawers, cupboards). Specifically, I did the basement and Jo did the rest of the house. At first reading you may think this an unequal split.... and you'd be right, she's such a slacker :-)Although the work was necessary and long overdue I have my Mum to

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1162750387891856302006-11-05T12:56:00.000-05:002006-11-06T00:28:12.956-05:00

Here are E&E's letters to SantaEmiliaSantaI love you.Baker Oven.Princess Castle.I am a good girl.FromEmiliaxxxx....ElliotDear SantaThis is what I want please1.Shell Shocker2. Star Wars Transformer3. Monorail Set4. Cybertron Supreme Starscream Transformer5. Cybertron Supreme Primus TransformerI have ben goodLove Elliot

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1155090626250079572006-08-08T22:16:00.000-04:002006-08-10T21:11:27.466-04:00

One of those memorable and proud parent moments arrived over the weekend with Elliot finally getting the whole bike thing. To be fair, after not showing any interest at all last year, Elliot himself initiated this latest push and rapid graduation. I put this progress down to two main factors:proficiency on and limited capabilities of his scootera desire to impress a certain young lady round at

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1155089766824526502006-08-08T21:38:00.000-04:002006-08-10T07:16:07.976-04:00

Here's a snap of Molly at 9 months. I'd like to say she's fully grown now but given her current phase, of eating anything that is not securely fastened down, I think there's a little more to go.Generally speaking she behaves herself pretty well now, save for a little puppy exuberance which we'll excuse for now. She still wants to be friends with approximately 95% of all passers by so I'm not

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1151471402025905052006-06-28T00:41:00.000-04:002006-06-28T01:35:39.640-04:00

As a footnote to the previous post I made my annual appearance in the Town Golf Tournament at the weekend. In my dreams, I had dedicated my shock win to Monty but as usual, the reality was a mediocre middle of the pack finish. Unlike, Monty I blew myself out of contention on the 17th hole after scrambling to stay in touch with the leaders the whole way round. I should thank my good friend Lenny

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1151468728662290702006-06-28T00:06:00.000-04:002006-06-28T00:39:22.496-04:00

Continuing my current sporting theme I have to register my disappointment at Monty's demise at the final hole of the US Open. Unlike Mickelson's implosion on the same hole Monty's had more the feel of devine intervention, ie the golfing gods just didn't want him to win. Nevertheless, kudos to guy for being there at the end again and bamboozling the media afterwards with some dry British

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1146704903835128872006-05-03T20:51:00.000-04:002006-06-06T19:38:05.206-04:00

Same scenario as the quarter final, 4 goals needed in the last 50 odd minutes of the tie. Unbelievably, Massimo delivers again in the last minute to send the Might Reds to their first UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven. I offer a public apology to my mother-in-law who called with about 5 minutes to go - short phone call, even for me.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1146699133116131692006-05-03T19:29:00.000-04:002006-06-06T19:43:45.050-04:00

The British team look oods-on favourites for diving gold in Beijing 2008 following the publication of this photo from their secret training camp in the Caribbean. Pictured is Rob performing his gravity defying pike (with no fewer than 0 twists) from the 10cm platform. As shown here, due to the extreme difficulty of this dive it is recommended that you have a spotter on hand in case something goes

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1144378055549817612006-04-06T22:40:00.000-04:002006-06-06T19:45:11.116-04:00

Forgive me for indulging myself but I'm going to bask in the glory of an historic night as my favourite team surge in to the UEFA Cup semis for the first time.As is usual, over the past couple of months, I spent my late Thursday afernoon pretending to work but secretly listening to the commentary by Ali & Bernie on Century FM over the internet. May have blown my cover this time as I jumped out of

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1142221125653313822006-03-12T22:18:00.000-05:002006-06-06T19:45:57.546-04:00

The fates conspired this week and accelerated our thoughts about getting a dog to light speed. Here we are 3 days later with Molly, a 4 month old Golden Retriever and the 5th member of our household. She's very placid for a puppy but does have very sharp teeth and is using us for chewing practice whenever possible. My regular night owl hours of operation will have to be modified to accomodate the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1139846592366764702006-02-13T10:53:00.000-05:002006-06-06T20:35:33.863-04:00

Winter is back with a vengence. Almost 2ft of snow fell overnight Saturday/Sunday morning - amazing. Bizarre thunderstorms early Sunday as well with the lightening flashes being diffused by the falling snow.Spent a few hours Sunday afternoon digging us and the cars out of the drifts - suffering for that today :-)

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1139201445781633782006-02-05T23:50:00.000-05:002006-06-06T19:49:14.670-04:00

Elliot woke up today with a tooth missing. It had been hanging by a thread for a few days but mysteriously disappeared overnight. So, he either swallowed it during the night, ate it along with his waffles for breakfast this morning or the tooth fairy did actually take it..... He's happy any way as he correctly observed that it should now take him less time to clean his teeth.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1137936229955172872006-01-22T08:22:00.000-05:002006-06-06T20:38:18.223-04:00

Meet the scooter squad.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1137886635405850272006-01-21T16:00:00.000-05:002006-06-06T20:39:46.693-04:00

Ok, ok I'm reduced to talking about the weather.... in the last week or so:Friday - so warm (61*f) that my mate Fergal and I managed to play some golf. Saturday/Sunday - ice storm (20*). Monday incessant rain turned my rear garden into a lake. Tuesday storm force winds (50mph +)Thursday warm again (59*)When I first came to the US in 98 I brought my large (parafoil) kite with me and it's never

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1136958311230784612006-01-11T00:14:00.000-05:002006-06-06T20:44:51.396-04:00

Here's a picture of us taken on Christmas Eve. We went down to the Florida Keys to catch up with some friends we hadn't seen for about 5 years.Dave & Sam's kids are just a little older than ours so they got on famously.Living away from "home" is a mixed blessing in this respect. It's naturally harder to see friends and family but when we do manage to get together - these encounters are great fun

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1136955408287914302006-01-10T23:55:00.000-05:002006-01-11T16:26:56.910-05:00

A very Happy New Year to you if you happen to be passing this way.2006 is going to be an interesting year I think but I'm not going to reveal all my predictions now in case I'm way off the mark. So, you'll have to come back regularly to see what's going on.I've got no idea whether anyone reads this drivel but it's theraputic in a strange way so, blog on.....Is there anybody out there?

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1133657005337015862005-12-03T18:58:00.000-05:002005-12-04T11:36:16.853-05:00

Doesn't roll of the tongue quite so easily does it? I think The Eagles made a wise choice going with California. It's not really a valid excuse but I'm going to blame my month long absence from this column on the fact that we've had friends and family staying with us from mid-October through (as my American friends would say) the end of November. What's more, this week Jo returned to England for

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16712477.post-1130715492444914902005-10-30T17:54:00.000-05:002006-06-06T20:47:41.496-04:00

Our neighbours over the road had a clear out yesterday and being Northern I didn't like to see good stuff being thrown in the tip. I am now, therefore, the new owner of 2 bikes, a tent, a box of lego, a box of brio train stuff, assorted jigsaws and board games. Most of this booty will be on its way to school/YMCA etc but I digress....One of the rescued games was "Battleships", of course - unlike

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393582585645293477noreply@blogger.com2